On the 18th and 19th September 2021, fruit and veg gardens across Bristol will be open to visitors as part of Bristol Food Network’s Get Growing Trail.
Baggator at The Pickle Factory (13 All Hallows Road) will be open Saturday 18 September 1-4pm and Sunday 19 September, 4-7pm.
An Oasis in the Heart of Easton. The Pickle Factories Garden is created by volunteers, used by local Families, and is a vital part of our Young Scientists initiative – the Easton Data Garden. Mature Fig, Bay and Cherry trees shelter new and maturing plants where you’d least expect them. Sometimes used by the East Bristol Social Club, its actual residents are birds, hedgehogs, foxes and a load of sensors giving data for us to learn by.
The Trail offers the perfect opportunity for families and friends to explore the city’s community allotments, orchards, smallholdings, mini market gardens, city farms and productive parks in a safe way.
Growing has improved many aspects of mental and physical health for the city’s citizens during the pandemic and helped us feel more peaceful and content and often better in the moment.
As in previous years, gardens on the Trail will be highlighting their nature-friendly growing methods and approaches with a wealth of tips, ideas and insights for visitors to take back and share at their own plot, garden or even window box. All in a bid to support and encourage more nature-friendly growing in the city.
With Covid-19 lockdowns restricting peoples’ movements, gyms closing and indoor socialising spaces limited, spending time in the garden, park or allotment has been an important way for Bristol’s citizens to keep mentally and physically healthy during the pandemic. Many groups will be welcoming visitors to their sites for the first time since the pandemic begun – an opportunity to connect with each other through nature, while continuing to be safe.
The lockdowns prompted a lot of people to Get Growing for the first time, and this has inevitably had a knock-on effect in the increasing numbers on allotment waiting lists. Getting involved in community growing offers people another way to Get Growing – and to learn amongst others in a supportive, friendly environment.
As well as garden tours, this year’s September Trail includes seed sowing, fun games for kids, apple juice-making, the opportunity to pick up some new plants and fresh produce, delicious lunch and snack stops, wildlife-friendly gardening tips, and Bristol’s first fully wheelchair-accessible dementia-friendly allotment.
Full details of all 22 garden openings can be found at www.bristolfoodnetwork.org and Trail maps are available across the city, or view the PDF here.
All openings are subject to current government Covid-19 restrictions. Please check the BFN website for any updates.
Trail highlights for 2021:
- Bristol’s first fully wheelchair-accessible dementia-friendly allotment (Alive at Brentry) will be open on Sunday 19 September, 12 noon–4pm.
- Bridge Farm in Bell Hill, BS16, is another new addition and will be open both days over the Get Growing Trail weekend for visits and volunteering.
- Hazelnut Community Farm in Horfield is open Saturday 18 September, 10am-4pm and Sunday 19 September 10am-1pm. There will be creative nature crafts and tours of the site.
- Baggator at The Pickle Factory (13 All Hallows Road) will be open Saturday 18 September 1-4pm and Sunday 19 September, 4-7pm.
- Another new addition to the Trail, Long Ashton Growers, will be open both days, 11am-4pm.
- Royate Hill Community Orchard and Allotment will be hosting a communal apple-pressing event. From collecting the apples, to squishing and pressing, and composting what’s left, this is permaculture in action with no waste!